As a therapist and coach that helps people to achieve the changes they want in their lives, I've sometimes thought about jumping on the weight loss band wagon. You know, write a book like Dr. Phil.

The problem is that it would be a very short book, with just two chapters with one page each.

The first chapter and page would say eat differently. The second chapter and page would say exercise more.

That's really about it. We tend to make it harder with lack of discipline and self control.

How our language gets in the way

We talk all the time about losing weight. But think about that language. Losing weight? Have you ever lost your keys? What do you immediately try to do? That's right, find theme again. How many of us have lost weight and then found it again?

That's why I coach people to use the phrase "getting rid of weight."

It works.

What works for me

When I want to get rid of weight, here are the three things that always work for me:

1. Exercise regularly, just about everyday.

2. Give up soft drinks.

3. Eat nothing but fruit before lunch. It fills me up, tastes good, and helps the weight come off because fruit is made up primarily of water. You do have to make bathroom trips a little more often, but it is worth it.

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com